Emergency Preparedness and Response

Our goal is to respond quickly and efficiently to protect the public’s health in disastrous situations covering but not limited to intentional, accidental, or natural incidents as well as disease epidemics, chemical and radiological releases, and severe weather that jeopardizes the safety of Henry County citizens.

We accomplish this goal by working in a Unified Command System and with other emergency responders (police, fire, emergency management agency, hospitals and others) to assess and respond to emergency situations.

The Health Department’s Emergency Response Plan (ERP), Annexes, and Appendices are available for public review. To review any of the health department’s emergency plans, please call (419)-599-5545 to schedule an appointment with the Public Health Emergency Coordinator.

Understand how to receive emergency alerts and warnings. Make sure all household members are able to get alerts about an emergency from local officials. Henry County residents can sign up for the Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS).

Discuss family/household plans for disasters that may affect your area and plan where to go. Plan together in advance so that everyone in the household understands where to go during a different type of disaster like a fire, tornado, or flood.

Collect information. Create a paper copy of the contact information for your family that includes: phone (work, cell, office), email, social media, medical facilities, doctors, service providers and school.

Identify information and pick an emergency meeting place. Decide on safe, familiar places where your family can go for protection or to reunite. Examples of meeting places include a neighbor’s house, library, community center, or place of worship.

Share information. Make sure everyone carries a copy in his or her backpack, purse, or wallet. You should also post a copy in a central location in your home, such as your refrigerator or family bulletin board.

Practice your plan. Have regular household meetings to review your emergency plans, communication plans and meeting place after a disaster, and then practice, just like you would a fire drill.